Concern: I want lasting bug protection while I’m exploring the outdoors.
Solution: Whether hiking with the dog or camping over a long weekend, you’ll likely want a DEET-free spray (Remember that note about degrading gear?) that can cover both your body and your stuff. But don’t count out a balm.
“A spray is great for clothing and is really easy to use, but the balm formulas remain effective for a bit longer, so using a combination is a great idea,” says Piedmont-Fleischmann. “A travel bug stick is a great way to get spot protection: behind ears, or on ankles, or wrists. For big jobs, the balms in tins are great — even for horses, dogs, or donkeys.”
Concern: I’m worried about West Nile, Zika, and other mosquito-borne diseases when I travel.
Solution: If you’re concerned about specific diseases, you’re going to want an ingredient that’s been lab- and field-tested specifically against them. Lemon eucalyptus oil is so effective as a natural repellent, the EPA allows Murphy's Naturals to put a disease claim on its Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Spray: “Repels mosquitoes that can carry Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus, and Chikungunya Virus.”